Wyoming Farm Mom Selected As Regional Winner In America’s Farmers Mom of the Year Contest

Bette Lu Lerwick, Albin, WY, has been selected Northwest regional winner of Monsanto’s America’s Farmers Mom of the Year contest.

Source: Monsanto | May 17, 2011

Bette Lu Lerwick, Albin, WY, has been selected Northwest regional winner of Monsanto’s America’s Farmers Mom of the Year contest. One of five regional winners, Lerwick was selected by judges from Monsanto and American Agri-Women in recognition of the contributions she makes to her family, farm community and the agricultural industry. Now, online voters have until May 26 to cast their votes for the national America’s Farmers Mom of the Year winner.

Ron and Bette Lu Lerwick, in partnership with son, Monte, and wife, Megan, raise wheat, corn, dryland beans, hay, sunflowers and beef cattle on the high plains of southeastern Wyoming. Their operation became a Wyoming Centennial Farm/Ranch in 2008.

Each Farm Mom of the Year regional winner is profiled on www.AmericasFarmers.com and was nominated by a friend, family member or loved one who submitted an essay telling how their favorite farm mom embodies the farm family way of life. Visitors to the web-site can see their profiles, read their nominations and vote by the May 26 deadline. The farm mom receiving the most online votes will be announced May 27.

As a regional winner, Lerwick receives a $5,000 cash prize and advances for the opportunity to win the national title and an additional $2,500. Online voters can help her achieve this title.

“It was no small challenge to select just five, but each regional winner represents the enormous impact that farm women have on their families, farms, communities and beyond,” says Chris Chavis, Monsanto’s National Brands Lead and America’s Farmers Mom of the Year spokesperson. “The nominations illustrate that no matter where or what they farm, farm moms share a passion for agriculture, a love for the family farm lifestyle and a dedication to preserving the land for the next generation.”

“It is a great honor to be given this award!” Lerwick says. “I can think of many farm moms who qualify for this title. I don’t view this as recognition for me specifically, but in honor of all the farm women, past and present, who could win this title.”

Lerwick was nominated by her daughter, Kosha Olsen, who shared a few insights into what makes her mother so special. “Mom has always opened her home to those interested in agriculture. She and Dad have welcomed exchange students, at-risk youths and others to our farm for months at a time. You can’t quantify the impact an American farm mom has on her family, farm, community or the agricultural industry, and mine is no exception.”

Monsanto’s America’s Farmers Mom of the Year is an extension of the America’s Farmers program, which celebrates the contributions of America’s farmers, who provide food, energy and clothing for a growing planet. The America’s Farmers Mom of the Year contest was introduced in 2010, when online voting selected the Southwest regional winner, Carol Cowan, of Watonga, OK, as the first national winner.